Perceived discrimination and stigma toward children affected by HIV/AIDS and their HIV-positive caregivers in central Haiti

Abstract

In many settings worldwide, HIV-positive individuals have experienced a significant level of stigma and discrimination. This discrimination may also impact other family members affected by the disease, including children. The aim of our study was to identify factors associated with stigma and/or discrimination among HIV-affected youth and their HIV-positive caregivers in central Haiti. Recruitment of HIV-positive patients with children aged 10–17 years was conducted in 2006–2007. Data on HIV-related stigma and/or discrimination were based on interviews with 451 youth and 292 caregivers. Thirty-two percent of caregivers reported that children were discriminated against because of HIV/AIDS. Commune of residence was associated with discrimination against children affected by HIV/AIDS and HIV-related stigma among HIV-positive caregivers, suggesting variability across communities. Multivariable regression models showed that lacking social support, being an orphan, and caregiver HIV-related stigma were associated with discrimination in HIV-affected children. Caregiver HIV-related stigma demonstrated a strong association with depressive symptoms. The results could inform strategies for potential interventions to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination. These may include increasing social and caregiver support of children affected by HIV, enhancing support of caregivers to reduce burden of depressive symptoms, and promoting reduction of HIV-related stigma and discrimination at the community-level.

Surviving Overwhelming Challenges: Family Caregivers’ Lived Experience of Caring for a Child Diagnosed with HIV and Enrolled in Antiretroviral Treatment in Ethiopia

“…Other studies have reported that family caregivers experience high levels of stigmatization and discrimination during their child's caring process for HIV (Orner, 2006). Stigma and discrimination is found to affect not only the sick child and the family psycho-socially but also it affects the process of healthcare service utilization at large (Surkan, 2010;Bejane, 2013;Washington, 2013).…”

“…Another important fact which exacerbates the level of stress for the child's biological parents is, in the majority of cases, the biological parents also are diagnosed with HIV and are dealing with their own treatment. Furthermore, widely distributed stigma and discrimination in the community contributes to frustrations in the family (Hamra et al, 2005;Surkan, 2010;Charles & Washington, 2013) and may lead to psychosocial catastrophes (Surkan, 2010).…”

Body Representations of People With Hiv/Aids: Between Visibility and Secrecy

“…A possibilidade de sofrimento familiar foi identificada em estudo de Surkan 19 , o qual revela que os estigmas da doença não foram somente com a pessoa infectada, mas também com seus familiares. O segredo, mantido como forma de proteção,…”

Cumulative Effects of HIV Illness and Caring for Children Orphaned by AIDS on Anxiety Symptoms Among Adults Caring for Children in HIV-Endemic South Africa

“…HIV-positive people are likely to experience stigma 27 as well as orphaned and vulnerable children. [28][29][30] The few studies that examine stigma and psychological outcomes among caregivers living with HIV in HIV-endemic communities suggest that stigma may play an important role in psychological outcomes among caregivers, 31,32 possibly due to maladaptive coping mechanisms 33 such as disengagement 34,35 and social isolation. 36 Exploring whether stigma mediates the relationship between HIV and poor psychological outcomes would further our understanding of the role of stigma in psychological outcomes of caregivers affected by HIV.…”